The students were cheering, yelling and clapping. In an environment that felt more like a pep rally than an academic ceremony, hundreds of students in the Elsik High School auditorium celebrated the signing of a document that greatly increases their chances of going to college.
On Monday, May 1, Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Houston Community College (HCC) Chancellor and HD Chambers, Alief Independent School District Superintendent, signed an agreement in the auditorium that provides eligible graduating high school seniors automatic admission to HCC.
“Streamlining the process to carry you to the ultimate student experience is the mission of all the adults here on the stage,” Dr. Maldonado said. “We truly care about you and this partnership solidifies our commitment for future college students.”
Chambers told the students the agreement means they have already been admitted to HCC. “Thanks to the vision of the Alief ISD Board and the HCC Board of Trustees, this makes this transition to life after high school much easier for many graduates that may not enroll in college otherwise.”
Eva Loredo, HCC Board of Trustees Chair, encouraged the students to take full advantage of the new agreement. “Keep working on your goals,” Loredo said. “The biggest thrill is to see you walk across the stage and to see that you have succeeded.”
Another HCC Trustee, whose district encompasses much of the Alief area, also urged students to keep HCC in their future plans. District VI Trustee Dr. John Hansen said, “we are eliminating barriers… this is a historic day for future generations of Alief ISD students.”
The admission agreement exemplifies HCC’s philosophy of doing whatever it takes to create student success. Dr. Athos Brewer, HCC Vice Chancellor for Student Services, said he was “fired up” by the agreement and its positive impact on students. “It’s because of you that every adult in the room comes to work every day,” Brewer said. “This is the initiative that will put students on the fast track to academic success.”
Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 15 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, visit www.hccs.edu.
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